Our GHSA 2-A-Semifinal playoff previews are listed below. This preview features matchups between Fitzgerald-Heard County and Callaway-Rockmart. There are two teams remaining from Region-5, Heard County and Callaway… Can the Heard County Braves end Fitzgeralds improbable run…Will Rockmart be the next victim for upset minded Callaway…Are we in store for an all Region-5 title game…Best of luck to these final four teams as they compete on Friday night.
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Key:
TFR – Turd Ferguson Report
GSWA – Georgia Sports Writers Association
NR – Not Ranked
The Skinny
We will be the first to admit, we haven’t given the Fitzgerald Purple Hurricanes the respect that they deserve this season. They have reached the final four for the 4thtime in 5 years. The Canes went up to Rabun County last week and upset the Wildcats. The road has not been easy for Fitzgerald as they have won the last two games on the road, and beaten two region champions. Fitzgerald got touchdown runs from Ethan Gordon and Justin Reliford. The Purple Hurricanes are averaging 31.4 points per game on the season while the defense is allowing 17.6 points on the season. Fitzgerald will be on the road again this week as they travel to Franklin, to take on the Heard County Braves. Heard County is back in the semifinals for the second consecutive season. Last week they knocked off Dublin. Quarterback Alijah Huzzie led the way for the Braves with a touchdown run and two touchdown passes. The Braves have not been dominant on offense, although they are scoring 28 points per game. Their defense has been respectable, allowing only 12.5 points per game. We think that Huzzie and Aaron Beasley will get the best of Fitzgerald this week. We like the Heard County by a touchdown.
The Skinny
The Callaway Cavaliers went on the road last week and got 3-TDs from Qua Hines to help boost the Callaway into the semifinals for the third time in six years. The Cavaliers offense is averaging 33.7 points per game, while their defense is allowing 12 points per game. The Cavaliers only two losses come at the hands of two teams that are still in the playoffs, (Troup and Heard County). Callaway will face another giant this week as they face the Rockmart Yellow Jackets. Rockmart is an offensive juggernaut, averaging 47.1 points per game. The Jackets sport two 1,000-yard rushers in Markus Smith (1,049 yards, 16-TDs) and Z.J. Whatley (1,042 yards, 18-TDs). Dylan Bailey has passed for 1,423 yards. Juke Boozer leads the team in receiving with 693 yards and 11-TDs. Rockmart’s defense is only allowing 7.4 points per game. We believe that Callaway has the ability to keep this game close for three-quarters. But we like Rockmart to win by 8 when the dust settles.